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Mediums and psychics have been around for a long time. Yes, even longer than Sylvia Browne's fossilized nails, which I know is hard to believe. As I sat in my office, I found myself reflecting on some of the psychic greats throughout history: Edgar Cayce, Nostradamus, and most likely a few old hags who lived in caves. As a side note, I am pretty sure the universe knew what it was doing when it sent me to a 21st century middle class neighborhood instead of to some dingy cave decorated by crude rust colored paintings of wolves and other beasts I hope to never encounter. It's not that I couldn't survive in the wild, it's that I don't want to. Alright, that was a lie, I couldn't survive in the wild. As I thought about the different psychics and mediums throughout history I couldn't help but wonder, "What is the difference between the psychics of old and the mediums of lately?"
Wardrobe differences aside, it must have been a tough being a psychic or a medium throughout much of history. It's not like Medium or Ghost Whisperer were available on demand during the crusades. Professing to foresee the future, or mentioning that you'd seen a ghost, wasn't just something to be avoided in polite company, it was a choice that could cost you your life. It makes me wonder how many great psychics and mediums existed, but were unable to share their gifts with others because of societal persecution. It saddens me, because I get so much joy from being able to share my gift with others. When I am depressed or feeling isolated because of my intuitive rarity, the knowledge that I am able to make people's lives better provides me with much needed comfort. How many children were shushed into silence by fearful parents or condemned to penance by hateful preachers? It wasn't all that long ago in America that people were institutionalized for being psychic. It's amazing how far we've come even in a few short years. We've gone from throwing people into mental wards to watching psychics and mediums engage in hotly contested debates on split screen on Larry King. Can you imagine Nostradamus debating James Randi on Larry King? I doubt Randi would even be surprised that Nostradamus was still alive, he'd probably just get all red faced and complain that he hadn't taken his million dollar challenge. Psychics of today have come a long way toward enhancing the integrity of the profession. Sure we have our bad apples, but who doesn't? I doubt Meryl Streep is doing cartwheels about the fact that Lindsay Lohan also claims to be an actress. Psychics of today face a continual barrage of criticism from skeptics, and many new generation psychics are not afraid of this barrage. New generation mediums understand the importance of proving our abilities. Don't believe us because we say we're psychics, believe us because we can do what we say we can do! Globalization has made it possible for people to see the abilities of some of the world's best intuitives showcased live in their living room. Before television, the internet, and Blackberries, it was much easier to take advantage of people. Today, people can research things like cold or hot reading, and read up on how to get the best reading possible. Personally, I am glad that I do not have to write my predictions in poetry or iambic pentameter. I prefer plain old English to plain olde English! World leaders, kings, and queens have always consulted psychics, astrologers, and ceremonial magicians. That seems to be one of the few things that has not changed throughout history. Nancy Regan and King Saul both consulted psychics albeit for different reasons. Another constant is psychic ability running in families. Spiritualism originated with the Fox sisters in the 1800s, and last week the psychic twins debuted on the Tyra Show. I love my sister very much, but she does not share my psychic abilities. Alternately, I do not share her ability to throw a basketball in such a way that it actually goes in the basket. I like the fact that more and more people of all ages are coming out and being open about their psychic experiences. Even though I find the show Psychic Kids ill informed and exploitive, I am glad that we live in an age where a show like that can exist. The age of openness is an age that is long overdue. The mechanics of psychic ability haven't changed all that much since the caveman, and cavewoman, times, but the packaging sure has! And frankly, that is a makeover that was long overdue.
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